Battalion Landing Team BLT Second Battalion, Second Marines 2

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2. Purpose To allow the Marines, Sailors, and their spouses an opportunity to meet/talk to the BLT Commander, Company/Battery Commanders, and the entire BLT Family Readiness Team. To ensure Marines, Sailors, and spouses are informed, prepared, & ready for the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployment. To explain what the BLT Family Readiness program provides to the families and to encourage personal responsibility in family readiness. Encourage and foster relationships among the spouses of the BLT. Endstate To assist Marines, Sailors & all Warlord families to be informed, prepared, & ready for the 22d MEU deployment.

3. Agenda BLT Task Organization Family Readiness TEAM and Vision What is Battalion Landing Team 2/2? Where are we going? How will this influence pay? When/How will the Marine/Sailor get mail? What happens if a Marine/Sailor is hurt? What can / can we not talk about concerning the deployment? How can Marine Corps Family Team Building help? CO�s closing comments

4. BLT Task Organization

5. Family Readiness Vision Informed Keep abreast of BLT events and information by keeping your contact information current with the Family Readiness Officer. Check the BLT website and 1-800 number regularly. Prepared Ensure you have a current Power of Attorney, Will, and family care plan. Talk to your Marine/Sailor about the upcoming deployment. Develop a family deployment plan where everyone is involved and informed. Attend a LINKS class, even if you have done it in the past. The Marine Corps is constantly offering families new resources. Find out about them! Ready Build relationships with other families through the BLT�s Family Events. Continue a state of readiness by attending �Beyond the Brief�, �In the Midst�, and �Reunion Briefs� throughout the deployment. Stay positive, stay patient, stay flexible, stay strong!

6. Official Communication Receiving E-MAIL updates from the Family Readiness Officer To receive information from the Family Readiness Officer, the Marine must place your correct contact information into the Family Readiness module in MOL. The only person that can update or input this information is the Marine. Monthly Newsletter BLT Website http://www.marines.mil/unit/2ndmardiv/2ndmarreg/2ndbat/Pages/Welcome.aspx 22d MEU Website http://www.usmc.mil/unit/22ndMEU/Pages/Family/FRO.aspx 1-800 Hotline: Dial 1-800-230-8762 Regularly updated by the command Dial 1-800-230-8762, when prompted, dial 12 to go directly to the BLT 2/2 message

7. Know your FRO: Mrs. Diana Medina PHONE: (O) 910-451-4018 EMAIL: diana.m.medina1@usmc.mil Know your Deputy FRO : SSgt Harold Scott PHONE: (O) 910-451-3521 EMAIL : harold.scott1@usmc.mil You are not alone; stay connected with your BLT 2/2 family Attend family readiness events and stay involved Communication is key! FRO is moving to the trailers behind the 3/2 CP. Final FRO Thoughts

8. Battalion Landing Team 2/2

9. BLT 2/2 and the 22d MEU

12. Mailing Addresses

13. Mail What cannot be mailed Illegal substances Alcohol Obscene articles Weapons Explosives What can be mailed? Letters Packages USPS Information PS Form 2976-A is required for all mail weighing 1lb or more More information can be found at USPS.com What is MotoMail? Family and friends of deployed Marines and Sailors can send a letter to be downloaded and printed on the ship. The service is free, private, and secure. WWW.MOTOMAIL.US

14. Casualties Prior to deploying, you should discuss this serious topic The command (HQMC) is responsible for handling all activities associated with casualties The Family Readiness Officer (FRO) has no official role in the casualty notification and handling process; you will NEVER receive casualty information from the FRO The Record of Emergency Data (RED) is the primary document for notification and officially identifying beneficiaries Injuries Telephonic notification from HQMC will be made for injuries Telephonic updates by HQMC of the injured until he is returned to duty, placed on convalescent leave, or the family is at his bedside Fatalities A Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) (a team of Marines led by a SNCO) will make physical notification of the fatality of a Marine or Sailor in Service Alphas The CACO team will support the family throughout all proceedings, only once any/all issues are resolved.

15. Public Affairs

16. Public Affairs What to do if you are contacted by external media? Accept or decline. It�s your choice, don�t feel pressured. You can always refer the external media to the II MEF Public Affairs Office You can receive guidance, coordination, and preparation support for an interview from the Public Affairs Office Social Media: Any web site allowing people to link to others to share opinions, insights, experiences, perspectives, imagery, video, etc. MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Photobucket, YouTube, etc. Responsibilities - How a Marine or his family can get in trouble Violating Operational Security (OPSEC) � Classified or sensitive material Ship schedules, unit sizes, return dates, operational locations/details, etc. Violating Privacy Act � FOUO or personal identifiable information Social security numbers, dates of birth, etc. Bringing discredit upon yourself or the Corps Political statements, comments on policy, endorsements, solicitations

17. Operational Security

18. Operational Security

21. Dstressline.com (primarily for those not located in NC, remote loved ones) For any stress related issues including work, personal, relationship, financial and family. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anonymous counseling provided by trained professionals. Exclusively for Marines, their families and loved ones. A service provided by the Marine Corps. The DSTRESS line (1-877-476-7734) is only available for current and veteran Marines and their families who are located in the following areas:OR, WA, CA, NV, AZ, ID, MT, NM, UT, CO, IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD, WY, HI, AK AND WEST TEXAS (FORT BLISS, EL PASO AREA). Dstressline.com (primarily for those not located in NC, remote loved ones) For any stress related issues including work, personal, relationship, financial and family. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anonymous counseling provided by trained professionals. Exclusively for Marines, their families and loved ones. A service provided by the Marine Corps. The DSTRESS line (1-877-476-7734) is only available for current and veteran Marines and their families who are located in the following areas:OR, WA, CA, NV, AZ, ID, MT, NM, UT, CO, IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD, WY, HI, AK AND WEST TEXAS (FORT BLISS, EL PASO AREA).

24. Final Thoughts Red Cross Messages - the avenue to get an important official message to a Marine Communications (River City) Notify FRO if departing the local area (address, phone number, & e-mail) TRICARE portability for extended periods of time Ensure your ID card(s) are valid throughout the deployment Ensure wills, powers of attorney, and other important documents are kept in safe place. If you have a birth of Child, ensure you enroll them in DEERS by the 30-day mark with the Mother�s Birth Certificate; update with SSN card Care Packages are key! The ships� store is not a PX; everyone needs love from home

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